Women aged 46-60 needed for osteoporosis prevention research - University of Hull

[OsteoporosisResearchUniHull]

The University of Hull in association with the Centre for Metabolic Bone Disease at Hull Royal Infirmary needs your help with our study to assess the effect of a simple home-based exercise regime on bone strength.

The Problem
1 in every 2 women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to poor bone health (www.nos.org.uk). Worst of all are fractures of the hip and spine, which are most common in elderly women. The detrimental effect on health is obvious and can lead to a loss of independence and deterioration in general wellbeing. The problem is a global one, with around 20% of people worldwide dying within a year of experiencing a hip fracture and only 50% of people regaining their normal function (www.iofbonehealth.org/facts-statistics). These bone-related problems place an enormous strain on the NHS, particularly as we have an ageing population due to longer life expectancies. Hip fractures alone cost the NHS £6 million a day!
Post-menopausal women experience the most drastic loss in bone mineral density due to a reduced oestrogen production, losing 2.0-6.5% of their bone mineral density per year for the first 3 to 5 years after the menopause. This loss slows down after this period but by then the damage has been done.

What is Involved in Our Research?
Bone density measurements by DXA
Blood test for vitamin D and calcium
Tests of muscle strength and balance
You will be asked to perform
8 minutes of simple exercise, 3 times per week or to carry on as normal depending on which group you are allocated to

You should be 1-5 years post-menopause and not have a diagnosis of osteoporosis.

Funded by OSPREY (Charity for Osteoporosis Research in East Yorkshire)

Contact
Gallin Montgomery MSc, BSc
[email protected]
01482 466314